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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I can't control my stress and daughter is suffering....

53 replies

complexo · 27/04/2012 21:22

I don't know why I take it on her, she is only 5 and does push my buttons, I do talk nicely and softly at first, but to repeat myself three, four, five times for each simple request really wears me down and I end up screamming...I feel so so bad afterwords I can't just control myself anymore.

I've done 2 parenting courses in the past, when I was a much more relaxed person (sahm) just to do something with my time as I never had any serious issue with her really.
But now I don't have the time and energy to do another one, and even though I still aplly the techiniques and common sense I seem to be getting nowhere.
And I will never ever do a reward chart, I don't like the idea.

OP posts:
Mumsyblouse · 28/04/2012 22:11

I actually agree with this. It's not an either-or situation, you can try and reduce or control your own stress (I do breathing exercises when I get really hysterical) and have some lovely cuddle time as well as trying things to break the habit of bad behaviour.

ConsiderYourself · 28/04/2012 23:17

My youngest (5) does a lot of this sort of behaviour (and the 2nd one too, in a different way). I think it's "attention seeking", and to be honest, the solution is to give attention before it gets to this stage. So, maybe your coming home from work routine needs to include a 5 minute cuddle and discuss the day before you get on with doing the dinner? Or read a story? Or whatever works for you. Might help you relax too?

Another thought that springs to mind. If you don't start relaxing until you've showered, would it help to bring that forward in your schedule? Shower before dinner? dd too if you like?

Routine, routine, routine, really helps with my littlest, and visual timetable is great for that, as someone else suggested. You could do this for evening time too? We use this to deal with dh being away with work too, crossing off calendar days. I wonder if your dh is on shifts, would this help too?

Still, it goes wrong sometimes, and again I've realised that giving her a wee bit of attention will usually do more good than shouting, and saves time, and I feel better too. For example, dd is not good at falling asleep, never has been, but she has really come on and I think we've done well with her compared to the night at 2.5yrs when we put her back to bed 31 times by 9pm - she stays in bed but takes about 30mins to actually drop off - and now, she occasionally comes downstairs when she's meant to be falling asleep... I used to get annoyed, frustrated and shouty, but now I calmly tell her she should be asleep, give her a cuddle and smile and send her back up, and she goes, no bother, doesn't come down again. Same result as if I shouted, but her last memories of me that night are pleasant.

About charts... don't forget that you won't need it forever. After a couple of weeks at most, the behaviour has usually improved, and you naturally forget to use it and move on, it's not for life. Keep it simple and specific for best results. If you're not keen on charts would marbles/stones in a jar work for you? Transfer from one to other for good behaviours/difficult behaviours?

ConsiderYourself · 28/04/2012 23:20

Ooh, xpost with GoOn there. And wise words about children being difficult when you are stressed (though my dd is difficult at school if she gets inadequate attention there too - teachers that "get her onside" find her delightful, while inexperienced or shouty teachers have a disruptive little girl on their hands Blush).

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